Apparatus for preparing photoengraving plates



(kt/15, 1940. H GAEBEL 2,218,165

APPARATUS FOR PREPARING PHOTOENGRAVING PLATES Filed Sept. 29 1936 3 Sheets-Sheet f INVENTOR Oct. 15, 1940. A. H. GAEBEL 3 APPARATUS FOR PREPARING PHOTOENGRAVING PLATES Filed Sept. 29, 1936 3 Shoets'ihaet 2 Od. 5. 1940. A. H. G AEBEL 2,218,155

Arum-ms r03 manna PHOTOEIIGRAVIIG mus Filed Sept. 29, 1956 3 mats-Elect 3 Patented Oct. 15, 1940 UNITED STATES.

APPARATUS FOR PREPARING PHdTO- ENGRAVING PLATES Arthur H. Gaebel, Larchmont, N. Y. Application September 29, 1936, Serial No. 103,221

Claims.

This invention relates to apparatus for preparing photoengraving or photolithographic plates, and has particular reference to a machine for automatically distributing and hardening the 6 initially plastic sensitizing enamel coating on the plate by combined centrifugal force and heat. Such machines are commonly known in the art as whirlers."

The whirlers in current use are usually heated 10 by the direct heat of gas flames, the fumes of which frequently chemically aifect the sensitized surface of the plate so that an inferior plate is produced, and this is especially the case when dichromate of ammonia is employed as the lightsensitive medium. Also, inasmuch as these machines are left open to allow escape of the gas fumes the plate must be removed promptly after the surface has hardened in order to prevent it I from being light-struck, so that the machine requires close attention during use. Furthermore,

in these current machines, the enamel frequently begins to harden before it has been evenly distributed by centrifuging, because of the direct heat applied to it, unless care is exercised in retarding the application of the heat until the plate has been whirled a suiilcient time to distribute the enamel.

In accordance with the present invention, a whirler is provided which is fully automaticin '0 operation and which evenly distributes the sensitizing coatingin a hard, uniform-density layer over the plate, whereby uniform results are assured with all types of sensitizing enamel in general use for photoengraving or photolithographic 85 purposes.

The whirler of this invention automatically centers the plate and rotates it at any one of a number of selected speeds for a predetermined period of time during which the plastic sensitiz- 4o ing coating is subjected to a concentrated radiant heat, which, however, does not become effective until after the plate has been whirled a suillcient time to evenly distribute the coating. The light emanating from the heat sources is not actinic 5 so as to aifect the light-sensitive material, and the heat is' automatically turned off after a predetermined hardening time for the coating.

More particularly, the new whirler comprises a closed chamber forming a dark room within 0 which rotates a self-adjusting holder, which is self-adapting to all sizes of plates and which is provided with centrifugally-actuated gripping means'ior securely holding the plate face up or face down. The radiant heat for hardening the 55 coating is supplied by a number of spaced electric resistance heaters and is concentrated by parabolic reflectors todiiferent areas of the rotating plate. These heaters are energized simultaneously with the beginning of rotation of the plate, but do not emit effective heat until the 5 plate has been rotated a suflicient time to allow even distribution of the coating. The light emanating from such heaters contains no actinic rays, so that the sensitized coating is not lightstruck. 10

A suction pump continuously withdraws air from the closed drying'chamber so as to create a partial vacuum therein, thereby securing more rapid drying of the coating without affecting the sensitizing material as would be the case if greater heat were employed to effect more rapid drying. The enamel discharged against the side walls of the chamber is continuously flushed oil by water. The water valve, suction pump and electric glow heaters are simultaneously turned off automatically by a preset timing device controlling the motor for rotating the plate holder. The plate may be left in the whirler for an indefinite time inasmuch as the drying chamber thereof isclosed to outside light. Means are also provided for manually stopping the rotation of the plate holder without stopping the entire machine.

For a more complete understanding of the invention, reference may be had to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure l is a vertical section through the new whirler as seen along the line l--l of Fig. 3;

Fig. 2 is an elevation thereof, with a portion of the pedestal housing removed;

Fig. 3 is an axial section as seen along the line 3-3 of Fig. l;

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the machine;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged longitudinal section through the plate holding mechanism as seen 4 along the line 5--5 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 6 is a, bottom view thereof Fig. 7 is a transverse section therethrough as seen along the line ll of Fig. 5;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged section of the timing 45 mechanism;

Figs. 9 and 10 illustrate respective plan and elevational views of a modified form of plate holder; and

Fig. 11 is a diagrammatic showing of the electrical circuit of the whirler.

In these drawings, numeral Ill designates a base carrying a. frame II which forms a pedestal for the machine and is enclosed by a sheet metal housing l2. A bed-plate i3 supported on the 55 pedestal frame I I carries the bracket l4 having the Journal l5 for vertical drive shaft I5.

Pinned to the lower end of drive shaft 18 is a disc 11 engaged by a friction wheel l3 splined on shaft l9 suitably Journaled at one end in the gear case 26 and at the other end on the housing l2. The end of the shaft within the gear case 20 is fitted with a worm wheel 2i driven by the worm 22 on the shaftof motor 23. When equivalent spur or bevel gearing is employed, the motor 23 acts as a dynamic brake for the rotating parts after the power is shut off.

Friction wheel I8 is shiftable radially on disc i1 along shaft is to vary the speed of shaft Ii at will, by moving handle 24 over segment 25,

which is provided with notches 25 for engagement handle 24 is connected to shaft 21, in turn connected by bevel gears 28 to shaft 29 having a crank 30 at its lower end. Qrank 30 is connected by link 3! to lever 32 pivoted at one end to the base I 0 and connected at its free end to friction wheel I 8. It will be seen that movement of handle 24 causes crank. 30 to shift wheel l8 radially along disc 11.

The timing mechanism for predetermining the duration of operation of the machine up to three minutes, for example, is illustrated in enlarged detail in Fig. 8. This mechanism is operated from shaft H by a worm and wheel combination 33 driving shaft 34, which extends diagonally into casing 35 supported on the bed-plate l3. The end of shaft 34 carries worm 36 driving worm wheel 31 pinned on shaft 38 journaled in ball bearings 39 mounted on casing 35.

Journalled on shaft 38 is a handle 40 having a pointer 4i moving over a scale 42 graduated in minutes and seconds up to three minutes. This handle is frictionally coupled to the worm wheel 31 by a slip coupling including discs 43 and 44,

respectively engaging the handle 40 and worm wheel '31 and urged frictionally against them by spring 45, so that handle 40 can be shifted manually relatively to the worm wheel 31, but is driven by the latter.

Pivoted on casing 35 is a lever 46 having a detent 41 located in the path of movement of the handle 40 and carrying the mercury contact switch 48, which is normally biased to closed position and controls motor 23 and other elements of the machine, as will be described. It will be seen that positioning of the handle in a clockwise direction, as seen in Fig. 2, relatively to worm wheel 31 determines the time it will take the worm wheel 31 to drive the handle 40 in a counter-clockwise direction to the extreme position where it will engage detent 41 to tilt switch 48 and thus open the motor 23 circuit. The scale 42 indicates this time.

The upper end of drive shaft [6 is fitted with one element of a friction coupling 49, the other element of which is connected to the lower end of drive shaft 50 aligned with drive shaft l6 and slidable aidally in journal 5|, so it rests on the lower element of coupling 49 and is frictionally driven thereby. The upper element of coupling 48 is provided with a downwardly depending flange forming a brake drum 52, which is adapted to be engaged by a brake shoe 53 carried by a lever 54 pivoted at one end 55 on the bracket i4 and having a handle 56 at its other end extending through a slot in the pedestal housing l2. When the brake 53 is applied to the brake drum 52, the friction coupling 49 slips-and the rotation of driven shaft 50 is stopped or slowed, depending upon the degree of application of the brake.

Secured to the upper end of driven shaft 53 for rotation therewith is the plate holder 51. As 5 shown especially in Figs. 5, 6 and '1, the holder 51 includes a channel-shaped frame 53, on the flanges of which are slidably mounted a pair of inclined stepped laws 59. Jaws 50 each have opposite inner legs 60 turned upwardly over the lower edge of the corresponding side flanges of frame 53, and also opposite outer legs 6| secured to corresponding bars '52, which are slidable longitudinally in the frame 58, as illustrated in Fig. 7. The outer ends of the bars 62 and 63 are connected by a. brace 64, so that the bars move together as a unit.

Each bar 63 carries a weight 65 which is located on the opposite side of shaft 50 from its Jaw 53, i. e., the left hand weight 65 corresponding to the right hand jaw 59, and vice versa, as

seen in Fig. 6. The inner end of each bar 62 is connected by a pin-and-slot combination 6 to the corresponding end of a double lever 61 journailed on shaft 50. It will be seen that as the shaft 50 rotates, each weight 65 is urged outwardly, due to centrifugal force, so as to draw the connected opposite Jaw 59 toward the center. Inasmuch as both Jaws 59 are connected together by the lever 61, the movement of one is 30 communicated to the other and vice versa, so that they move as a unit. This coaction renders them effective to self-center the plate P placed between them, which is gripped more tightly as the speed of rotation increases. The steps on 35 jaws accommodate all sizes of plates which may be placed thereon face upwardly or face downwardly, depending upon requirements.

Extending upwardly from the margin of bedplate [3 to a point above the top of the plate 4( holder 51 is a circular wall 68. A circular water spray pipe 69 is located adjacent the top edge of the wall 68 and discharges into the annular space formed by apron 10, which directs the water in a sheet over the inner surface of the cone 10' 4! to flush it of enamel discharged by the rotating plate. The cone 10' is corrugated or ribbed horizontally to break up the Jet effects of the holes in the pipe 69. The spent water collects on bed-plate l3 which is slightly recessed so 5( that the water flows out through pipe 1| which is trapped to be relatively air-tight. The water is supplied to ring 69 by pipe 12, controlled by a solenoid valve 13 in the motor circuit. Thus, when motor 23 is operating, valve 13 is open and 5! flushing water is supplied. When switch 48 breaks the motor circuit, solenoid valve 13 is closed.

A hemispherical-shaped dome or hood 14 mounted on the upper edge of wall 68 closes the chamber 15 to which access may be had by means of the door 16, which may be moved upwardly within hood 14 by handle 16 and fits substantially air-tightly when closed. A suction pipe 11, extending to the top of the hood 14 so as to draw the moist or vapor-laden air from the drying zone, is connected to a small motor-driven suction pump 18 secured to the bed-plate l3. Thepump 18 is also connected in the circuit of the motor 23 and starts and stops according to 7( the position of the switch 48. The pump 18 maintains a partial vacuum within hood 15, whereby drying and hardening of the enamel on the plate are facilitated, as well as abstraction of the moisture or vapor laden air. 7t

Locatedvat substantially equall spaced points on the dome or hood l4 are-three parabolic refiectors 18, within each of which is located an electric resistance or glow heater 88, these heaters being in the circuit of motor 28 or otherwise controlled by switch 48. The reflectors 18 are so directed that the radiant heat emitted by the corresponding heaters 88 is concentrated on a different portion of the surface of plate P. Thus,

one of them is directed on the center of the plate P and the others are directed at opposite ends of the plate P,-for example. In this way each plate is uniformly heat-treated, regardless of its size, and no portion of its surface receives more heat than another. a

In operation the late P, roughly coated with the wet or soft sensitizing material, whether of glue, albumen, shellac, or like base, is placed in the jaws 58, which may be spread apart manually to accommodate any size plate, although the steps therein adapt the jaws to any sized plate. The hood door 18 is then closed tightly and the machine started by throwing, handle 48 to the proper selected timing position, as'indicated on scale 42 by pointer 4|. This 'action releases switch 48, which, being biased to closed position, closes the motor 23 circuit. At thetime, glow heaters 88 are energized, suction pump 18 started, and solenoid valve 18 is opened to flush the cone NV-with water. As the machine gathers speed, weights 85 move outwardly, thus drawing jaws 58 together to clamp plate P tightly and center it as well.

drys the coating without afiecting its light-sensitive properties in any way, since the light emitted by these heaters is' not actinic. pump 18 maintains a low vacuum within hood 15, whereby drying is facilitated and vapors and moisture removed. Also, handle 48 being grad.-

ually driven in a counter-clockwise direction, as-

seen in Fig. 2, until at the end of the time set on scale 42, handle 48 engages detent 41 and tilts switch 48 to open the circuit of motor 28, heaters 80, pump 18 and solenoid 13. As the hood I5 is closed against light, the plate may be left in the machine for an indefinite time without being light-struck.

As the machine is completely enclosed and silent in operation, it is difllcult to determine from a distance when it is in operation, except by pointer 4|, which, however, is not visible from. all directions, and therefore a pilot'light 81 in circuit with the motor 23 and heaters 88 is preferably located on top of the hood 14 as shown in Figs. 1 to 4.

An alternative form of plate holder is illustrated in Figs. 9 and 10, which is especially adapted for holding a plate P with its coated face down. Here a gear 8| is journaled on shaft 58 and engaging it are opposite racks 82 slidably mounted on a frame 83 pinned to shaft 50 so as to rotate therewith. Secured to the outer ends of the racks 82 are brackets 84 provided with handles 85, plate gripping jaws 86 and guide bars 81 opposite the racks 82 for aligning the latter in the frame 83. The Jaws 86 are normally urged together by a spiral spring 88 secured at one end to the shaft 58 and at the other end to gear 8|.

Meanwhile the Pivoted intermediate their ends at 88 on the frame 88 are levers 88 having weights 8| at their outer-ends, which are preferably streamlined in the direction of rotation toreduce air swirlswithin the casing. Secured to the inner ends of the levers 88 are cross pins 82 on which are pivoted pawl levers 83, adapted to cooperate with ratchet teeth 84 formed on the under side of racks l2. Theunder side of each pawl 83 is provided with a cam notch 85 cooperating with a pin v88 on the frame 88. The notches 85 are shaped in such a way that as the pawl 88 is projected inwardly, it rides up on pin so that its end engages-a ratchet tooth 84'. Conversely, when-pawl 88 is withdrawn, it drops downwardly to disengage teeth 84.

In use, the modified holder of Figs. 9 and 10 is opened manually by pulling outwardly on one of the handles 85 to open the jaws 88, which automatically close on the plate P because of the tension of spring 88. As the machine is started, rotation of the frame 83 results in the centrifugal swing of the weights 8| about pivots 88, causing pawls. 83 tomove up over pins 86 to engage a tooth 84'. Asrotation speed increases, weights 8| cause pawls 83 to urge jaws 88 into increasing clamping pressure with the plate P, which is preferably positioned face downwardly. As the rotation is stopped, weights 8| drop, disengaging pawls from teeth 84 so that they drop away from the racks due to notches 85, thus permitting manual retraction of the jaws 88.

It will be seen that a highly efilcient and effective whirler is provided by this invention, which is automatic in operation and requires .no attention beyond loading, unloading and time-setting. Although a preferred embodiment of the invention is described herein, it will be understood that the invention is not limited thereby but is susceptible of changes in form and detail within its scope. 1

I claim:

1. In apparatus for preparing photoengraving plates, the combination of means for holding the plate having an initially fluid emulsion thereon, an electric heater for the plate having the characteristics that it requires an appreciable time interval after energization to attain heat-emitting conditions, a motor for moving the plateholding means to distribute the emulsion uniformly over the said plate, and a switch jointly controlling said motor and heater, whereby the motor moves the plate to distribute the emulsion uniformly over the said plate during the said time interval before the heat is applied to the plate.

, 2. In apparatus for preparing photoengraving plates, the combination of rotatable means for holding the plate, means for rotating said plate holding means, a hood substantially airtightly enclosing the means and plate, means responsive to operation of the said rotating means for heating the plate to dry the surface thereof, and means for withdrawing air from within the hood and creating a partial vacuum therein.

3. In an apparatus for preparing photoengraving plates, the combination of rotatable means for holding a plate, a dome-shaped hood enclosing said rotatable means and having an opening therein to permit a plate to be inserted into and removed from said rotatable means, a door having a curvature substantially complementary to a portion of said hood mounted for movement into positions to close and expose said opening, said hood and door being in light-tight relationship when said opening is closed, a plurality of radiant heating means mounted on said hood and reflectors for said heating means for directing the heat on different portions of the plate to heat the plate uniformly during rotation of said rotatable means.

4. In an apparatus for preparing photoengraving plates, the combination of rotary means for holding the plate, a dome-shaped hood enclosing said means and plate, a plurality of electric heaters mounted on said hood, a reflector for one of said heaters for directing the heat thereof upon substantially the center portion of the plate, and reflectors for the other heaters for directing the heat thereof on the marginal portions of said plate, whereby the plate is heated uniformly throughout by the heat directed thereon by said reflectors and reflected from said hood.

5. In an apparatus for preparing photoelectric plates, the combination of rotatable means for holding a plate, a motor, a mechanical transmission connecting said motor to said rotatable means for rotating the latter, means for varying the speed of rotation of said rotatable means, a

switch adapted to be closed to start 'said motor,

an adjustable member driven by said motor for opening said switch, and means for adJusting said member at will to vary the time interval between closing said switch and opening of said switch centrifugally actuated jaws on said member for gripping a plate, an electric motor, a mechanical transmission connecting said motor to said member whereby upon operation of said motor the member is rotated at high speed to distribute an initially fluid emulsion uniformly over said plate, electrical heating means for drying said emulsion, and time control means actuated by said motor for deenerglzing said motor and heating means, said time control means being'adjustable to vary the time interval between energization and deenergization of said motor and heating means.

8. In an apparatus for preparing photoengraving plates, the combination of a rotatable holder for a plate, a mechanical transmission for rotating said holder, a motor for driving said transmission, heating means for said plate, a domeshaped hood enclosing said rotatable holder and cooperating with said heating means to heat said plate uniformly, and means responsive-to continuous operation of the saidmotor for con-' ing means, said mechanism being actuated directly by said motor and adjustable at will to vary the duration of heating.

10. In an apparatus for preparing photoengraving plates, the combination of rotary means for holdingthe plate, a hemispherical hood enclosing said means and plate, a plurality of electric heaters mounted on said hemispherical hood, a reflector for one of said heaters for directing the heat thereof upon the inner part of said plate but avoiding the center thereof, and reflectors for the other heaters for directing the heat thereof on the marginal portions of said plate, whereby the plate is heated uniformly throughout by the heat directed thereon by said reflectors and reflected from said hood.

ARTHUR H. GAEBEL. 

